Thailand’s Constitutional Court has dissolved the election-winning Forward Movement Party after accusing it of trying to overthrow the monarchy.
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has unanimously decided to dissolve the Move Forward Party, which won last May’s elections.
The Move Forward Party was accused of trying to overthrow the monarchy over proposals to relax a strict law on insulting royalty. A nine-member court in Bangkok also banned nearly a dozen party functionaries, including former leader Pitu Limjaroenrat and four other elected members, from political activity for 10 years.
The remaining 140 MPs from the MoveOn party have been given two months to join other political forces. They are expected to remain the core of the opposition in the 500-seat legislature.
The Forward Movement Party emerged on a wave of anti-government sentiment, especially among the youth. It favored cutting the military budget, abolishing conscription, and weakening big business monopolies. In addition, the party proposed legalizing same-sex marriage and setting a minimum daily wage of $13.
The victory of the MoveOn party in the elections was unexpected and impressive. It won widespread support among different age groups and regions, even in traditionally conservative areas such as Phuket and Bangkok.
However, conservative forces quickly responded to the threat to their position. First, the military-appointed Senate blocked Pita Limjaroenrat’s appointment as prime minister. Then, the Forward Movement Party lost its coalition partner, the Phua Thai Party, which began an alliance with conservative and military-backed parties.
Despite the political problems, the Forward Movement Party’s popularity has not waned. According to a poll conducted in March by the National Institute for Development and Administration of Thailand, Pita Limjaroenrat remained the top candidate for prime minister, and 48.5 percent of respondents said they would have voted for the Forward Movement Party had the election been held that day.
After the court ruling was announced, Pita Limjaroenrat told a news conference that his colleagues planned to introduce a new party, although he himself would not be part of it. “We will do everything we can to break the cycle so that Thailand becomes fully democratic,” he said.
The dissolution of the Forward Movement Party is yet another example of the instability of Thailand’s political system, which has seen twelve coups d’état in the last century. Experts say the court ruling could increase tensions between the conservative establishment and the country’s progressive forces.
Critics called the party’s members “too radical” and “childish,” and some analysts doubted the party’s ability to govern the country. However, supporters valued the MoveOn party for its commitment to change and independence from big donors.
It is important to note that Thailand’s lèse-majesté (insult to royalty) law is one of the strictest in the world. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, more than 270 people have been charged under this law since 2020.
The decision to dissolve the Forward Movement Party has raised concerns about the future of democracy in Thailand. Many observers believe it could lead to a new wave of protests and political instability in the country.
The situation continues to evolve, and the international community closely follows the developments in Thailand, calling for respect for democratic principles and human rights.
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